After decades of discussion, we're still a river city without good pedestrian access to the river. However, we recently took another big step toward making it happen.
Last week, we reported the Missouri House approved a bill to give Jefferson City a small portion of land for riverfront access to Adrian's Island.
For decades, various plans to connect the public with Adrian's Island have started and stalled, started and stalled. The 30-acre strip of land - technically a peninsula - lies between the Missouri River and Union Pacific Railroad tracks, stretching from the Capitol to the former Missouri State Penitentiary.
Under a bill sponsored by state Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, the state would donate 0.19 acres between the Senate Garage and Veterans Memorial to Jefferson City for riverfront access to Adrian's Island.
The bill passed the House and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
City officials plan to develop the island into a park with a 826-foot bridge leading to it. To construct the bridge, which would go over the railroad tracks, the city needs the 0.19 acres of land, Bernskoetter said.
The project is estimated at $3.2 million, and an ad hoc committee has raised approximately $2.3 million, including a $1 million donation from local philanthropist B.J. DeLong, with the condition the money be used only for riverfront development.
Some residents have expressed concerns about flooding at Adrian's Island, as the land has been underwater five times since 2000. However, the development would be designed with that in mind.
Our biggest concern with the project is that it would not allow direct access to the riverfront, unlike some other communities such as St. Charles. Instead, people would have to walk across the winding 826-foot bridge. Residents already have more direct access to the river's edge on the north side of the river at the Noren Access.
However, many other options have been considered, and this appears to be the best one.
Regardless, we continue to believe access to Adrian's Island and development of a passive park would be a tremendous amenity for Jefferson City residents and visitors.
We ask the Senate to also approve Bernskoetter's bill, which then, hopefully, would be signed by Gov. Eric Greitens.